NFL Free Agency: 5 Free Agents Who Could End Up in Surprising Places

If the NFL lockout isn't the most talked about sporting news right now, then free agency predictions are. Sure, there are the NBA Finals and NHL Stanley Cup, but neither of those sports draw the attention that football does.

Every year, we seem to see a few big name players who end up in rather surprising places.  Whether it is Julius Peppers landing in Chicago or Kurt Warner being picked up by the Arizona Cardinals, free agency is sure to leave us in shock.

With big name players like Nnamdi Asomugha, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens available, there will certainly be free agent battles between teams and maybe a few surprises.  Here are five free agents who could end up in surprising places for next year.

6. Brett Favre to Arizona Cardinals

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Just kidding.

Although, if any team was desperate enough to try and coax Favre back, it would be the Arizona Cardinals. Could you imagine if Brett was benched for John Skelton?

That would be quite humbling.

5. Terrell Owens to Oakland Raiders

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

We've seen Oakland go after older wide receivers before.  Remember the Randy Moss experiment?

The Raiders need receivers bad, as they are so very close to being a playoff team.  Last season, Owens showed that he can still produce when he put up nearly 1,000 receiving yards.  With Darren McFadden finally living up to all the hype surrounding him and Jason Campbell playing steady football, T.O. might be the missing piece for the Raiders.

Oakland has plenty of young talent at the receiver position, but in order to make the playoffs next season, it needs production right now.  Owens could be that production, but he could also just give up like he did in Buffalo.

4. Ike Taylor to Detroit Lions

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up prior to the snap during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Watch out for the Detroit Lions this year.  They are going to surprise some people and have a good chance to make the playoffs.

With Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch and rookie Nick Fairley, Detroit's defensive line is going to be unstoppable.  Where the Lions really need help is in the secondary.  Ike Taylor could come in and instantly improve Detroit's pass defense.  He has the talent to be the team's top corner and could provide a consistent high level of play.

The Lions may only be a quality defensive back away from challenging for the NFC North title.  Don't be surprised if they take a shot at Taylor and even overpay for him.

3. Alex Smith to Buffalo Bills

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

When the Buffalo Bills didn't draft a quarterback, I think everyone was a little surprised.  Ryan Fitzpatrick was a decent starter, but isn't the long-term answer for the Bills.

While Alex Smith is no Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, he has more talent than Fitzpatrick.  Smith will have to become more consistent and dedicated, and a change of scenery might do wonders for him.  Playing in Chan Gailey's and Curtis Modkins' offense might actually play to his strengths.  Some still believe that Smith can be a starter in this league, and Buffalo might be one of those teams.

Even though it is rumored that Smith plans on staying in San Francisco, if Colin Kaepernick shows Jim Harbaugh something early, the 49ers might pass on Alex.  If that happens, a team like Buffalo, which still needs to cement its quarterback situation, might jump to grab him.

2. Nnamdi Asomugha to Houston Texans

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during the closing minutes of their loss to the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra S

What was the difference between the 2009 Chicago Bears that went 7-9 and the 2010 Bears that went 11-5 and made it to the NFC Championship game? Some might say the difference was Julius Peppers, the most sought after free agent last year. The Texans could have a similar turnaround and playoff run if they add a talent like Asomugha.

Nnamdi Asomugha is this year's Julius Peppers.  Every team in the NFL could use his talents, and they will all attempt to lure Asomugha to them.  He is easily one of the best cornerbacks in the league, if not the single best.  There isn't any aspect of his game that lacks.  He can play against the run or pass, has great coverage skills and is a fantastic person.  Simply put, Asomugha has everything you could want in a player.

Houston always appears to be ready to make some noise in the AFC, but it always comes up short.  Its secondary is one of the worst in the league, but if it can grab Asomugha away from the NFC East, it could be an extremely dangerous team.

1. Randy Moss to New England Patriots

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Surprised?  Haven't we seen the Patriots make this move before?  During the 2007 NFL Draft, the Patriots traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Oakland Raiders for Moss.  That season, Tom Brady hooked up with Moss for a record 23 touchdown passes.

Moss has one, maybe two, good years left in him.  Last year was just embarrassing for him as he put up some of the worst numbers in his career while playing for New England, Minnesota and Tennessee.  He is still a valuable deep threat, he just needs to be motivated and play for a winner.  This could be his last chance to win that Super Bowl ring.

The Patriots need a deep threat for Brady, and Moss could once again be that deep threat.  Look for Moss to go out with one last hurrah and put up huge numbers for New England before he finally retires.